Forthcoming activities and events

Sign Waves – Swim with sign, for deaf and hard of hearing children.

Sign waves provide safe professional swimming lessons for deaf and hard of hearing children, with a fully qualified swim instructor trained in BSL L1 and a communication support team in BSL L2, along with a variety of visual flash cards children will fully understand. Sessions are for children aged 3 years and above on Monday evenings at Portway Lifestyle Centre, Oldbury, West Midlands, B69 1HE. Sessions cost £7.50 each.

Friday Adaptive Sports Club at the Crystal Leisure Centre

Now in the soft play centre at the Crystal Leisure Centre Friday Adaptive sports club is for children aged 8 – 16years with additional needs.The next sessions will start after Easter, each session costs £2.50 per child (50% discount for leisure options+ cardholders). The sessions take place at the Crystal Leisure Centre, Bell Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1AE. For more information or to book a place contact Greg Southall, on 01384 814179 or email greg.southall@dudley.gov.uk

Chaos Sports & Social Club for young people

A new 14+ weekly sports and social club called Chaos Sports, at Insight House, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, for young people with a disability aged between 14-21 years. Participants will spend an hour taking part in sport then the following 30 minutes is social time. They have the opportunity to listen to the live music in the Secret Coffee Shop or chat to friends in the main hall. The sessions start on Thursday 24th April and run weekly, 7.30pm - 9pm. Support with toileting cannot be provided to participants so this would have to be organised by parents if required. Each session will cost £5. For more information or to book a place contact Greg Southall, on 01384 814179 or email greg.southall@dudley.gov.uk

Barnardo’s Activities in the Black Country

A local Barnardo’s Project, which supports young people with disabilities to participate in Award based activities. They aim to provide a high quality service to young people, which will enable them to reach their full potential.

The project is currently looking to open to new youth provision in the Dudley Area, the details of which can be found below:

Saturday Morning Club for young people age 8-11 years old.

Venue: Russell’s Hall Community Centre, DY1 2NX

Time: 10am – 12noon.

This club will run on a weekly basis.

Young people will do activities such as arts, crafts, physical, community, cooking etc

Monday Evening Club for young people age 13-17 years old.

Venue: Coseley Youth Centre, WV14 8HB

Time: 6.30pm – 8pm

This club will run on a fortnightly basis.

Young people will look at issues that affect them such as money management, keeping safe, relationships, community and independent travel.

Both clubs will work towards the Adventure Service Challenge and young people may have access to some summer holiday activities. Costs are £2 per person

If you are interested in either of these clubs or would like more information please ring Sadie, Ben or Diane at Barnardo’s Activities in the Black Country on 01384 411722 or send an e-mail to sadie.hughes@barnardos.org.uk

Club Chaos

Club CHAOS! was created to make sure disabled children have a place to play just like any child should. It also gives parents and carers a break for a few hours, as we're next door to The Secret Coffee Club, parents can stay and have a coffee while their children play. If you'd like more information, contact: talk@clubchaos.org.uk or call on 01384 483 708

Total Chaos at Insight House

The original CHAOS! play session! Lots of fun, lots of noise, lots of being very busy..... You can jump and bounce, climb and build, create and play, make and draw, laugh and talk.... you will make lots of friends and have so much fun! The session runs 10:00am - 1:00pm for children and young people aged 5 – 15 years and cost £5 per child. Sessions take place at Insight House, Pearson Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3BL

Free Family Day Pass for Dudley Zoo

Members of the Children’s Disability Network can now book a free Family Day pass (2 adults and up to 3 children (3 – 15 years) for entry into Dudley Zoo. You will need to provide a date of when you want to go to the Zoo.

For more information contact the Network Co-ordinator on 01384 815813 or email CDN@dudley.gov.uk

Makaton training for beginners,

A practical introductory workshop where parents and carers will learn signs and symbols from the core Makaton vocabulary Stages 1-4 and methods for using Makaton. Cost is £90 per person with manuals and Certificate of attendance provided. The course takes place over 2 weeks at Kids Orchard Centre, Lye-By-Pass, Lye, DY9 8HA. For more information and booking details contact Jane Walker on 01384 279706 or 07734 910467, email: janewalker@graffiti.net